The Western Bulldogs have inducted six-new Life Members at the 2024 Annual General Meeting. 

Current players Bailey Dale, Bailey Williams and Ellie Blackburn were inducted alongside former AFLW Premiership players, Kirsten McLeod and Brooke Lochland. 

The Club's Rehabilitation specialist Nick Stone was also inducted after giving 12 years of service in a variety of roles within the football department.

Speaking to the room at the newly-opened 'Western Grounds' function space, Club President Kylie Watson-Wheeler paid tribute to those receiving their Life Membership as well the Life Membership and Awards Committee for their work behind the scenes.

"I am delighted to be here today to recognise and celebrate the milestone of Life Membership together with the recipients and their friends and family today," Watson-Wheeler said. 

"I’d like to thank the Life Membership and Awards Committee for their assistance in reviewing the nominations and for their annual recommendation to the Club Board which was endorsed at our November Board Meeting. The Committee’s dedication to this process is much appreciated."

Life Membership at the Club is open to players, directors, staff, volunteers and others who meet a set of criteria determined by the Life Membership and Awards Committee. 

As of 2024, there are over 400 Life Members of the Club.

2024 Inductees: 

Bailey Dale:

A player with a formidable foot skills and consistency who reached his 150-game milestone during 2024.

Dale joined the Club at Pick 45 in the 2014 National Draft, having spent his under-18 season at the Dandenong Stingrays.

Initially making his debut as forward, Dale would make his senior debut in Round 7 of 2015. Dale would continue finding his way over the next two seasons and was an integral part of the 2016 Footscray VFL Premiership Team.

In 2021, Dale would make the memorable switch from the forward line to the defensive 50, earning All-Australian selection in that same season.

From that moment on, the much-loved Bulldogs' precision kicking and rebounding ability have become a staple of the red, white and blue backline.

Dale finished equal second alongside Adam Treloar in the 2024 Charles Sutton Medal.

Bailey Williams:

A quiet achiever who plays a team role each week reached his 150-game milestone in 2024.

Willians arrived at the Club in 2015 via Pick 48 in the National Draft – touted as an all-rounder with elite agility.

Williams made his senior debut in 2016, playing an important role in the Club's VFL premiership.

He has played a variety of roles throughout his 150-game career, beginning as a defender before plying his trade on the wing in more recent seasons.

Williams claimed the Most Improved Player Award at the conclusion of the 2020 season.

Ellie Blackburn:

A pioneer of women’s football and a trailblazer for football in the Western Suburbs, Blackburn has served the Club for eight years and is forever etched in the Western Bulldogs' history.

An inaugural Bulldog, Blackburn is a name synonymous with the Club’s AFLW program.

A marquee signing in 2016, the tough midfielder would begin her stellar career in Round 1, 2017 against the Dockers.

Eight seasons later, Blackburn has claimed five Western Bulldogs' Best-and-Fairest awards, three All-Australian jackets and currently holds the Club’s games record.

In 2018, Blackburn led the Club to its historical first AFLW Premiership as captain.

To this day, Blackburn remains one of the premier players of the AFLW competition. 

Kirsten McLeod

Drafted as part of the Club's inaugural AFLW team in 2016, Kirsten McLeod played a crucial role in the Club's 2018 Premiership season.

McLeod will be forever emboldened in Bulldogs' history, kicking the Club’s first goal in the AFLW competition in Round 1, 2017 as well as the decider in the Grand Final victory against Brisbane in 2018.

The crafty forward provided 'x' factor throughout her 39-game career and was a much-loved teammate during her time at Mission Whitten Oval. 

McLeod claimed the Club’s leading goalkicker award and 'Most Improved Player' in 2020, while also winning the Coaches' Award in 2018.

Brooke Lochland:

An inaugural Bulldog, Brooke was drafted at Pick 53 in the 2016 AFLW Draft.

She would play in the Club’s first-ever AFLW game the following season, playing every game in her debut campaign.

Lochland’s career-best season arrived in 2018, becoming a Premiership Player, All Australian and the Club’s leading goal-kicker all in the same season.

Lochland played 35 games for the red, white and blue, kicking 18 goals before making the move to the Sydney Swans where she retired at the end of the 2024 season. 

A popular teammate, Lochland was appointed vice-captain of the Dogs in 2020.

Rehabilitation specialist Nick Stone was also inducted after giving 12 years of service in a variety of roles within the football department. Looking after injured athletes, the popular staff member has dealt with players at their most challenging times with professionalism and care.